As most of you know, I recently contracted COVID. I am recovered now, but there were some days that I was a bit concerned with some of my symptoms. So, I reached out to my doctor to ask her what I should do about them. To my surprise she responded and shared that she too was battling with COVID. I don’t know why, but I found it interesting that my doctor had COVID. After all the advice that she had given me, and the encouragement to wear a mask and follow the CDC guidelines, she got the same disease.
In thinking about our situations, I had a moment of clarity. The writer of Hebrews says of Jesus that we have a savior who has become like us, who has taken on our (human) infirmities and therefore is able to come to our aid when we are challenged (Hebrews 2:9-18). Wow! This passage has deeper meaning for me now. When I read that my doctor also had COVID, I instantly felt a kinship with her. I felt a bond, because I believe that she understood what I was dealing with because she too was going through it. Beloved, our Savior “knows all about our struggles,” He knows what it is like to be faced with circumstances beyond our control, to be faced with enemies and to face our own mortality. I know there are times when you feel all alone in your trials. You feel that no one else can understand or cares about your situation. But be comforted, our savior knows! He has been there and has overcome! Be comforted in the words of the Hymn, “What a friend We Have in Jesus.”
What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge--
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.
